Post Game Review: No. 25 Texas A&M 41, No. 9 Missouri 10
Down goes No. 9.
In a top-25 SEC showdown at Kyle Field, No. 25 Texas A&M dominated the ninth-ranked Tigers to secure their fifth straight victory and improve to 3-0 in the SEC to the tune of 41-10.
Winning the toss and deferring to the second half, Texas A&M’s defense took the field. Missouri immediately attacked through the air, as Brady Cook targeted Luther Burden III for a gain of 27. Short rushes followed, but on fourth down, a downfield battle between Will Lee III vs. Theo Wease Jr. was won by “The Blanket” as a pass interference flag was picked up, resulting in a turnover on downs.
Sidelined with an AC joint sprain the last three weeks, A&M quarterback Conner Weigman was back in the saddle. A 13-yard completion to Jabre Barber gained the Aggies’ initial first down, and a 15-yard pass to Noah Thomas kept the chains moving. On third down, Amari Daniels bulldozed through defenders from 25 yards out. Next play, Daniels went straight into the endzone.
Backed up on its own 25, A&M’s defense suffocated the Tigers. After a four-yard gain, Missouri could not find any more positive yardage, and a sack by Daymion Sanford forced a punt.
A 29-yard connection to Thomas moved the Aggies downhill quickly before Rand Bond kicked a 44-yard through the uprights.
To follow, Cook found Burden deep and turned on the jets to haul it into the endzone. Yet, an ineligible receiver penalty bailed the Aggies out. The Tigers failed to find any momentum as the 12th Man forced a delay of game penalty, and a 17-yard pass was not enough to convert on third-and-20.
After a nine-yard scramble from Weigman, three straight 11-plus yard completions propelled the Aggies into the redzone. As the second quarter began, Daniels punched in the score to put A&M up 17-0.
Nic Scourton remained disruptive along the line of scrimmage with a four-yard tackle for loss. Cook continued to be forced out of the pocket, resulting in yet another three-and-out.
In their own territory, Weigman aired it out to Jahdae Walker, making an incredible leaping grab to gain 40 on third-and-long. Firing on all cylinders, gains of 15, 11 and seven inched the Aggies closer to the goal line. Le’Veon Moss hauled it in A&M took a demanding 24-0 lead.
The Aggie defense did not relent. After a six-yard catch from Burden, the Tigers moved backward the same yardage thanks to a sack from Rodas Johnson. A pass interference call on Lee gifted Missouri a free 15 yards as they found somewhat of an offense groove. Yet, it was short-lived as the Aggie front swarmed. Taurean York sacked Cook for a loss of six, and Dalton Brooks lit up the signal-caller on a pass that was nearly intercepted by BJ Mayes.
With two minutes remaining in the half, an impressive 21-yard catch from Thomas converted on third down. Yet, the Aggies' drive stalled out for the first time on Saturday. Tyler White executed a near-perfect punt, pinning Missouri on the 1-yard line. Cook threw it away as the half ended.
After an explosive first half, the fireworks continued. Moss broke through tackles for a 75-yard house call to give the Aggies a 31-0 advantage.
After yet another three-and-out and Scourton terrorizing Cook, the Aggies began to march once again. A dart from Weigman to Terry Bussey found 32 yards and converted yet another third down with a completion to Moss. A pair of delay-of-game penalties set A&M back, but the march was capped by a 33-yard field goal from Bond.
The Tigers’ first successful offensive drive came midway through the third quarter. A&M’s front continued to apply pressure, but Cook rolled out to find Wease for a 59-yard touchdown.
After a penalty-ridden drive, A&M handed it back to the Tigers. Missouri moved the chains on back-to-back third-down attempts. Yet, an incompletion on fourth down spoiled the march.
Bussey’s 33-yard catch kickstarted another touchdown drive for the Aggies. Two plays later, Moss torched through Missouri’s secondary once again to score his third touchdown of the day.
After both squads traded wasted possessions, Missouri’s 17-play drive ended with a field goal.
One play was enough to drain the clock as A&M claimed a dominant statement victory.
RUMBLED: Talk about firing on all cylinders. In Conner Weigman’s first start after injury, he posted 276 yards and completed 82 percent of his passes. Not only did he execute through the air, he was tied as A&M’s leading rusher at halftime. A liability previously, the passing game found its groove as Bussey, Thomas and Walker all eclipsed 50 yards. Welcome back, Wiggy.
STUMBLED: After Brady Cook made some comments about practice music being louder than the environment at Kyle Field, the Aggie defense let him have it. Missouri’s second, third and fourth drives gained 14 yards total. A&M’s front seven left no breathing room for Cook and continued to pressure the signal caller from the first whistle to the last.
The Maroon & White totaled six sacks, EIGHT tackles for loss and four quarterback hurries. Missouri posted 190 yards of total offense before the last drive compared to A&M’s 510.
If only the noise at practice were a bit louder.
TURNING POINT: Up 24-0 at the half, it would've taken a complete meltdown for the Aggies to drop this one. Le’Veon Moss silenced any worry with his 75-yard house call right after halftime.
UNSUNG HERO: “The Blanket’s” got you covered. Will Lee III and A&M’s secondary limited Missouri’s Theo Wease Jr. to just two receptions on nine targets. After Missouri’s staff put a blanket in Wease’s hotel room as an additional incentive, he was seen wearing it pregame. It's almost as if he never took it off.
KEY STAT: Last time Texas A&M beat a top-10 team? Nov. 26, 2022, when No. 5 LSU lost to the Aggies, 38-23. The signal-caller who beat Jayden Daniels and the Bayou Bengals? Conner Weigman.
Scoring Summary
First-quarter
A&M: 9:17 - Amari Daniels 1-yard rushing touchdown. Drive: 8 plays, 60 yards. TOP: 3:38. Texas A&M 7, Missouri 0
A&M: 5:01 - Randy Bond 44-yard field goal. Drive: 7 plays, 46 yards. TOP: 2:49. Texas A&M 10, Missouri 0
Second-quarter
A&M: 14:27 - Amari Daniels 1-yard rushing touchdown. Drive: 8 plays, 65 yards. TOP: 4:21. Texas A&M 17, Missouri 0
A&M: 6:34 - Le’Veon Moss 1-yard rushing touchdown. Drive: 11 plays, 88 yards. TOP: 5:31. Texas A&M 24, Missouri 0
Third-quarter
A&M: 14:47 - Le’Veon Moss 75-yard rushing touchdown. Drive: 1 play, 75 yards. TOP: 0:13. Texas A&M 31, Missouri 0
A&M: 6:30 - Randy Bond 44-yard field goal. Drive: 8 plays, 40 yards. TOP: 6:44. Texas A&M 34, Missouri 0
MIZ: 5:18 - Brady Cook 59-yard passing touchdown to Theo Wease Jr. Drive: 5 plays, 77 yards. TOP: 1:19. Texas A&M 31, Missouri 7
Fourth-quarter
A&M: 11:00 - Le’Veon Moss 18-yard rushing touchdown. Drive: 3 plays, 57 yards. TOP: 1:33. Texas A&M 41, Missouri 7
MIZ: 0:08 - Blake Craig 23-yard field goal. Drive: 17 plays, 74 yards. TOP: 5:59. Texas A&M 41, Missouri 10